Nigel Adkins ‘busy behind scenes’ to help Tranmere target promotion next season

Nigel Adkins is focused on making sure Tranmere are promotion candidates next season after finishing the season with a 4-1 loss at Accrington.

Both Rovers and Stanley finished on 57 points, in 16th and 17th place respectively, but Adkins is determined Tranmere are further up the table in 2024-25.

Rovers got off to a dream start when, with just 95 seconds gone, Luke Norris drilled the ball home.

Stanley replied in the fourth minute when Jack Nolan’s corner was headed home by Lewis Shipley.

The Reds were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute when Liam Coyle’s header hit the arm of Rob Apter. Nolan hit the spot-kick straight down the middle.

It was quickly three when teenager Alex Henderson fired home in the 53rd minute and Nolan completed the scoring in the 82nd minute – again from the penalty spot – to take his tally to 17 for the season.

Adkins said: “It was a brilliant start but within two minutes, we fell to our Achilles’ heel this season, defending set-pieces.

“For me, the penalty decision changed the complexion of the game and, for me, it’s not a penalty.

“That was a shame but then we conceded two really poor goals and, on the back of a poor scoreline, it was a poor second-half performance.

“Next year we have to improve our results on a consistent basis and concentrate on set-pieces against that we don’t concede as many goals.

“We have been busy behind the scenes. We have a group of players we know can do well in this division already on board but that leaves a good scope to bring nine or 10 players in during the summer to get the squad of 25 I am looking for to give us an opportunity next year to have a go for automatic promotion or the play-off positions.”

John Doolan celebrated his first home win since taking over the manager’s role at Stanley in March.

Doolan said: “I am really pleased for the fans, the club, the chairman. Everyone has put a lot of effort in this season so it was fantastic to round it off like that. I wanted to send the fans home happy and the style we won the game was brilliant.

“Again we gave a team an early goal but the character and response from the lads is fantastic.

“Jack’s got a wonderful left foot and at times he has been unplayable.

“I was also delighted for Alex, who has just signed a new contract. He is a good player and he is going to go on to be a great player.

“We have some good youngsters coming through, Dan Martin and Connor O’Brien were outstanding.

“The hard work started a few weeks ago for next season, we have a few things in the pipeline and hopefully they will come off.”